What Do Those Interview Questions Really Mean?
Each interview question has a distinct purpose. The following are some common questions and their purposes.
Q: Tell me about yourself? A: The interviewer is looking for you to talk about yourself and to learn anything that he might not otherwise be able to ask. For example, do you have kids? Candidates with children might be perceived to have more problems getting to work on time. Therefore, talk specifically about previous job experience and your interest in what you do. You also can discuss something that you know that you and the hiring manager have in common.
Q: Tell me about a difficult person you had to handle. A: The interviewer could care less about the most difficult person you ever worked with. What he is fishing for is your ability to get along with troublesome people. Do not answer this one too thoroughly. You don’t want to suggest that you have had to deal with a lot of difficult people; which actually implies that you are the difficult one. A better approach might be to tell the interviewer that you get along with everyone and that you do not have problems with difficult people. Explain your ability to pull diverse groups of people together to complete a project.
Q: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? A: While the obvious answer would seem to be ‘this job”, you might also talk about your future career goals. This gives the interviewer the thought that you are an achiever and willing to work hard. Don’t say that your favorite job would be working on the beach.
Q: Tell me what you liked about your last job and what you disliked. A: Here is another one to be careful on. Do not go on about all the things you disliked. It leads the interviewer to think you do not like anything. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of the job such as the things you learned. If you talk more about what you disliked, chances are you will say you dislike something that may be a crucial part of the job you are applying for.
Q: Tell me about your favorite and least favorite manager. Answer: Again, this is a tricky question. If you begin to talk about the things you dislike about your previous manager, the hiring manager will believe you have a problem with authority. Focus on what your superiors did well.
Remember, an experienced interviewer has a reason for each and every question. While the question may seem simple enough, how you answer it could decide whether you get the job or not. Focus on the positive aspect of your past. Concentrating on the negative will give the impression that you are a negative person and probably not the best candidate for the job.
